diff --git a/libraries/AP_RTC/AP_RTC.h b/libraries/AP_RTC/AP_RTC.h
index 7772011350..a5ce5273f7 100644
--- a/libraries/AP_RTC/AP_RTC.h
+++ b/libraries/AP_RTC/AP_RTC.h
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 #pragma once
 
+#include "AP_RTC_config.h"
+
 #include <AP_Param/AP_Param.h>
 
 #include <stdint.h>
diff --git a/libraries/AP_RTC/AP_RTC_config.h b/libraries/AP_RTC/AP_RTC_config.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..caea31bccc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/libraries/AP_RTC/AP_RTC_config.h
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+#pragma once
+
+#include <AP_HAL/AP_HAL_Boards.h>
+
+#ifndef AP_RTC_ENABLED
+#define AP_RTC_ENABLED 1
+#endif